The Motifs of the Island
The works of Byun Shi-ji are built upon a recurring set of symbolic motifs. The lone pony, the gnarled pine tree, the leaning man, and the distant crane are not merely subjects, but archetypes of the Jeju spirit.
Each motif carries deep philosophical weight. The pony symbolizes resilience; the pine represents endurance; and the leaning figure embodies a person who has become one with the elements. Together, these themes form a narrative of solitude, acceptance, and the eternal cycle of life against the backdrop of the sea and the sky.